Attaching means for the sides of convertible top fabric



W. MECHLIN Aug. 5, 1952 ATTACHING MEANS FOR THE SIDES OF CCNVERTIBLE TOP FABRIC Filed March 6, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. MECHLIN Inventor ATTACHING MEANS FOR THE SIDES OF CONVERTIBLE TOP FABRIC Aug.

Filed March 6, 1950 w. MECHLIN 2,606,060

ATTACHING MEANS FOR THE SIDES OF CONVERTIBLE TOP FABRIC Aug. 5, 1952 Filed March a, 1950 5 Sheet sSheet 3 I nvenior: wzwmfl;

Patented Aug. 5, 1952 ATTACHING MEANS FOR THE SIDES: F CONVERTIBLE TOP FABRIC Wilmer Mechlin, Washington, D. 0.

Application March 6, 1950, Serial No. 147,909 20 Claims. (Cl. 296-107) sections of the top fabric cannot be tacked in thesame manner, since the fabric must give at these points in order to enable the top to be raised and lowered. For securing-the latter sections to the framewhen the top is in closed position, resort has been had to securing members of two general types, one, snap fastenersand the other, retainer strips fixed to the body or frame and fitting into pockets in the fabric; With the introduction of the automatic top, in which the top is raised or lowered by hydraulic, electric or other power, it became desirable to provide selfreleasing or automatic attachments, not'only' for simplicity of operation but to prevent damage by collapse of the top with the fabric still secured. The desired automatic release is obtained, in one type of top, by the utilization of snap fasteners seating in rearwardly inclined tracks on the frame which, While securing the fasteners on the fabric when the top is closed, permit them to slide out of engagement as the top is collapsed.

In common with most other'fabrics, top fabrics tend to shrink with exposure to the elements, the shrinkage being particularly pronounced in the lighter fabrics which have been widely adopted to reduce the bulkiness of the' top. Wherever unresisted, this tendency causes the fabric actually to shrink and, in its side sections, to form arches or loops between the fasteners. With the automatic releasing fasteners of the type mentioned, this shrinkage not only forms loops between the fasteners, but gradually pulls the fastening elements on the fabric above the level of the slides on the frame and, in exaggerated cases, ultimately exposes the interior of the automobile.

The device of the present invention is designed to. secure the top fabric against shrinkage and, at the same time, automatically release the fabric when the top is collapsed. This it accomplishes by the provision of retainer strips or members attached to the side roof rails of the supporting frame and affording a substantially continuous, rigid connection between the fabric and the frame when the top is inclosed position. Unlike the aforementioned rear-quarter retainers, these retainer strips are movable relative to the frame" and are so moved as the top is collapsed automatically to release the fabric. With this its principle of operationit-is anobj ect of the present invention to provide in a convertibletop, means for attaching the sides of the top fabric tothe supporting frame, which will both rel'ea'se automatically when the top is collapsed and secure the sides against shrinkage when the top: is closed.

Another object of the invention is toprovide in a convertible top, means for attaching the sides of the top fabric to the frame, which not only secures the sides. against shrinkage in'closed position and automatically releases when the'top is collapsed, but automatically reengages the sideswhen the top-is returned to closed position.

An additional object of-the invention is topro vide means by which the top-locking lever is utilized to detach and resecure the sides of' the top fabric as the top is collapsed and closed;

A further object of the invention is toprovide aside attachment for convertible tops in which the sides are held in closed position by flaps, the flaps being hinged to the frame and adapted automatically. to release the sides as the top is collapsed.

Other objects and advantagesof'the invention will appear hereinafter in the detailed description, beparticularly pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in' the accompanying drawings; in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an automobile top of the let-down type to which the invention has been applied, the top being shown in closed position;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the top of Figure 1 in partly collapsed position;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the front portion of the top of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view on an enlarged scale of a side of the top of Figure 1, withportions of the top fabric broken away to more clearly disclose the-detail's'of construction of one embodiment of the side valance-attachment of thepresent invention, the securing flaps being shown in closed position;

Figure 5 is a side elevational viewof the side rail and associated structure of Figure 4, with the securing flaps shown in open position;

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view, taken along the lines 0-5 of Figure 4;

Figure -7 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken along the lines 1-1 of Figure-4;

Figure 8 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken along the lines 8-8 of Figure Figure 9 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken along the lines 9-9 of Figure 4;

Figure 10 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken along the lines IGI0 of Figure 4;

Figure 11 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken along the lines I I-II of Figure 4;

Figure 12 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken along the lines I2I2 of Figure 4;

Figure 13 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken along the lines I3-I3 of Figure 4;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary plan view on the scale of Figure 4 of a front corner portion of the top frame with the upper part of the front roof rail broken away to disclose the details of construction of the flap-operating mechanism of the embodiment of Figure 4;

Figure 15 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the lines I 5I 5 of Figure 14, with the rear wall of the front roof rail broken away to more clearly disclose certain of the details of construction;

Figure 16 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the lines I6I6 of Figure 14;

Figure 17 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the lines I'I-I'I of Figure 14;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken along the lines I8I8 of Figure 15;

Figure 19 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the central portion of the side roof rail and attendant structure of Figure 4, showing a different form of flap-latching and actuating mechanism, portions of the flap being broken away to more clearly disclose certain of the details of construction;

Figure 20 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the lines 2020 of Figure 19; and

'Figure 21 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the lines 2I-2I of Figure 19.

Referring now in detail to the drawings in which like reference characters designate like parts, there have been illustrated two embodiments of the invention, both applied to a let- 7 down or convertible top having a frame I of the collapsible, outrigger type, and a top fabric, cover or material 2 covering the frame when the top is in closed position. While applicable to either a manually or a power operated top, the illustrated embodiments are especially designed for the latter, the particular top shown being raised and lowered through hydraulic pistons 3 connected to rear quarter pillars or other main pivot members 4, pivoted to the body 5 of the automobile and acting through the pillars upon the several linkages of the frame.

Again for illustrative purposes, there has been selected a frame having side roof rails 6 of channel or U-shape and each broken or divided into two hinged or jointed parts, with the forward side roof rails 1 adapted to fold back over the rearward or rear side roof rails 8 when the top is collapsed. The side rails 6 are rigidly connected at the front of the top by a front roof rail;9-of hollow or shell construction, the connection being obtained by corner braces I0, which are enlarged within the front rail to provide reinforcing members II, welded or otherwise connected to and covering substantial areas of the end portions of the bottom wall I2 of the front rail. The front rail is designed in the usual manner to-rest or be supported in closed position upon the header I3 of the windshield frame I4, and is connected thereto through pierced header dowels or studs I5 adapted to seat or fit in dowel holes I6 in the front rail, the holes normally being reinforced by guide plates IT. The illustrated top is adapted to be locked in closed position by locking pins or bars I8 projecting into the dowels and reciprocable to locked and unlocked position by a common central locking handle or lever IS.

The top fabric 2 of the illustrated top is tacked in the usual fashion to the body 5 along the rear belt section 20, and to the frame I along the front rail 9, the rear quarter pillars 4 and the rear cross-bow 2 I, leaving untacked the side valances 22 and the rear quarter valances 23 of the top fabric. While forming no part of the present invention, the rear quarter valances are preferably secured when the top is in closed position by the aforementioned rear quarter belt retainers (not shown), under which the valances normally are tucked, downward bulging of the rear quarter valances, as the top is collapsed, rendering this form of attachment self-releasing.

The present invention is directed to the attachment of the side valances 22 to the top frame I and is designed to provide an attachment which combines the releasable feature of the slanted track snap fasteners previously mentioned, and a rigid support for the side valances when the top is in closed position. To this end, the attachment or attaching device is comprised of side flaps, wings or retainer members 24 attached to and extending along the side rails 6 and movable or shiftable relative thereto on collapse of the top. The side flap of either side may be of one piece but for the jointed side roof rails Ii of the usual top, is in two sections, the front or forward section 25 attached to the forward side rail I, and the rear section 26 attached to the rear side rail 8. These flaps are designed to provide a rigid, depending or downturned strip, plate or lip, under which the side valances may be tucked when the top is in closed position. For this purpose, the flaps may be flat strips, elongated members of inverted channel or L-shape or angle members, the last being preferred as possessing sumcient rigidity with minimum bulkiness. In either case, the flap sections are hingedly attached to the corresponding side rails such that they will swing or hinge about axes substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the rails. For side rails of the illustrated U- shape, the side flaps may conveniently be mounted on or attached to the outer, upstanding flanges 21 of the rails adjacent the upper edges of the latter, with the outer or lower legs 28 of the flaps, which form the aforementioned downturned strip, plate or lip, normally confronting and spaced from the outer faces of the upstanding flanges. The downwardly opening space 29, so provided between the strips 28 and the flanges 27, is adapted to receive a stiffener or stiffening element 38 on the top fabric. Utilizing the construction now employed for rear quarter valances, the stiffening element may be of rubber, reinforced fabric or other suitable material, which is stitched to each side valance 22 along the lower edge of the latter and forms with the top fabric a pocket 3| substantially coextensive with the side valances and preferably slightly less in depth than the depending lower leg or lip 28 of the flap.

By providing means for locking the flaps in their normal or closed positions, it is evident that rigid strips are obtained on either side of the frame which will engage the side valances aeuegoco;

5.. substantiallythroughout theiriengthsand resist any-tend'encyof the top materialto shrink;v If; these hinged flaps then" can be released .toswing upwardly aboutrthe side rails when" thertop isrto' be moved; they'will: disengage the stifieners and, thereafter, permit theside valancest'o. move freely as they are pulledaway: fi'OmithB sidezrails: by: the displacementof fthe' latter relative; toi the, front bow 32'I0f ithe'frame .I Toaccomplish this result, the flaps must' swing: about a: sufficient arc; and. at the proper: time; too ensure: disengagement of. the valances: before; damage to the fabric: could occur. by; the: aforementioned. displacement. In'.addi..tion-, onceswung to releasingposition; provision must be :made for? preventinginterferenceibyrthe"flaps with overfolding ofjthe forward: and rear; side rails, 'I' and: 8; incident to. collapse: ofithe; typeof. frame here; illustrated. The-fiapszof bothembodiments of .the present invention: are: designedito: accomplish this result; those; of the first embodiment additionally being adapted. to. reengage-the side valances; when the top is-restoredito closed position".

Considering now the-first embodiment of Figures 4 through 18-, inwhichthe aforementioned inverted, substantially P-shapedflaps-Zd are employed, the flaps have-been hinged about the upper, edges-of theupstandingflanges 2'? of the side rails 6 toaffordmaximumengagement with the stiffeners 30 on the sidevalanc'es 22, .but with their upper-,overturnedor bent-over legs 33. and their hinges 34 so disposed relative. to the side rail jointsor' hinges 35 asto permit overfolding of the side rails without interference. To enable theforwardand rear sections, 2.5 and. 26, of

eachflap tobe operatedas aunit, they are. con-, nected at their confrontingor innerends'. This, to. accommodate, therelative. anglingv movements of the flaps as the top iscollapsed, requires a uni-. versal connection 36. An inexpensive yet par.- ticularly effective. universal connectionis that shown, in which there. is; provided a. socket 3? carried by theforward flap section 25" of each of the side rails 6 and a mating ball 38'on the'com panion rear section 25. The socket 31 is substantially semi-cylindrical and preferably formed in a block 39, which may be welded'for otherwise fixed to a detent or flange 40 depending from-the inner end of'the upper'leg 33 of the front flap section 25; Themating member, theball" 53; is mounted on.theend of astem fwhich may be carriediin loops l2iformed in depending: flanges 43 integral with the:rearrflap"section 216. Encircling the stem; M between; the loopsris a"; coil spring 441 acting between a collar lfi onzthe stem" and the rear loop, to yieldablyi urgethe ball- 38* into engagementwithzthe socket. 31; When? the flaps are in their-releasing position, asshown in Figure 5 in which they havebeen-swung through an=arc of=substantially,180? from the" normal orlocking position of Figure. 4, they overlie the side the latter fold together, the con rails. and, .as- I lips 28 are lI=1-. position fronting-edges 46 of the to. wedge. or jam together.. Tdprovideagainst this contingency, the. edges lfiiare. cutback. or bevelled outwardly fora considerable angle... In the illustrated embodiments, a. total.- angl'efof some hasbeenselected as providingyaii adequate factorof safety, as well, to determine'the dispositions. of. the. ball and socket and the extent to which" the'ball; is retractable againstits spring 45.

To operate the flaps, use is made of the toplocking lever I9 by which the front roof" rail-ii is locked in closed position to the windshield header I3. As previously mentioned, this lever this angle being employed, I

actsathroughi lockingfipins, I 8'. which, in. turn; ent-+- gage: the: pierced header: dowels, I5 i of thew-ind shield header, In normal operationofthetop; the locking lever is first thrown, to 1 opens poshtion,causingtheilocking; pins on: either side; to retract from. the piercedzdowels, whereupon, the front: rail is-raised manually above the dowels;

After: the-rail. has cleared the dowels. the locke ingleveristhrown to closediposition so;as::to1be out of the way:as;the topcollapsestinto. the. usual top compartment (not shown). Power is; then appliedto lower the top; Whentthe topisagain to ;be .closed, it is raised by power until. the front rail rests uponzthe. dowels l5,v when the; lever; l 9 is thrown .to open: position to permit the; dowels to enterrtheir: dowel. holes; 16.. After them-dowelsl5 have been seated, the leverisfinally; thrown to; closed, position,. locking the; top; in; place. These movements of. the. top-lockingtlever: are hereutilized-tmoperatethe flaps 26. This is-ac.- complished by mounting within .the: hollow front rail .9 of the illustrated top, adjacent eitherside, a:.drive unit. by which power'isitaken from the adjacent locking bar l8; Were manual opera-.- tionpofthe flaps 24=a1one required, a direct drive through gearing or a suitable crank; could be utilized. This would .besatisfactory for opening the flaps; when the top was initially, unlocked, but, s nce the lever I9 is normally reclosed when the front rail clears the dowels,,the fl-apswould immediately be reseated-in the pockets}! in the side valances 22. Accordinglygthe driveunitl'l is. so constructed that:.opening;"of the; lever; will always swing the flaps to: open position, while closing of the lever, will only voperatethe flapswhen the front rail abuts,thewindshieldiheader.

Inits illustratedformthe drive unitis come prised of, amounting 48 which may be;die-cast and. supported upon the reinforcing memberll of..the corner. brace ill. Part of. the mounting is formedasa" housing49 in which-slidably, re-.- ciprocates a drive plate .or member 50,; Thellatter member. has its inner end; connected to the-adjaacent locking bar- [35 through a clamp, or collar- 5l to enableit to reciprocate with; and substantially parallel to the bar. Within the same hous+ ing;v 49v is mounted'a clutch or. disengagingmem:

her: in the form of a. clutch, guideor. shiftin plate 52, reciprocable'substantially vertically of they housing and transversely of the. path of movement of the drive member. 5%): Depending below the plate and projecting through an open.-

ing: 53 in the bottom wallml2of. the front rail;9 is a plunger or detent 54,.Whichis1adaptedto engage theconfronting: face of; the, windshield header l 3,- when the top is in c1osed;position;. and to be; projectedout-wardly, as theztopisrraised', by downward movement of-the. clutchrplateiunder force of a coilspring or otherresilientmeans55'. This spring isv disposed 'betweenthe'top of the housing and the clutch plate; riding in. a dome 56 in the housing and bearing againsta 'cup" 51 carried by thezclutch plate. :Asshown, the inner walls of the housing are suitably grooved to guide the drive and clutch'plates, 5Q and 52, in their respective movements.- The clutch plate 52 has formed' in it aguide slotfiflwhich is disposed'substantiallytransversely of the pathof movement ofr-the plateand parallel to that of the locking bar tB, the slot-"beingofsufiicient length to-accommodate the limits of movement of thelockingbar'. Alignedwith the guide slot 53 of the clutch plate 52, when the latter. is mitsdown position; is a substantially. horizontally; extend:

ing lower leg59 of" an L-shaped drive slot 60,

having an upstanding, outer or verticalleg 6|, the lower and upstanding legsencompassing the limits of movement of the locking bar 18 and clutch plate 52, respectively. Riding in the drive and guide slots, Boand 58, is? an arm or pin 62 of a drive link 53. This, arm is bentat substantially right-angles to the main portion or arm-64 of the link and, by virtueof the disposition of the vertical leg Elof the slot 60, is positively driven inwardly whenever the locking lever I9 is thrown to open position. However, closing of the lever can drive the arm 62 only when the clutch plate is displaced to its upper positionby engagement of its plunger 54 with the windshield header [3, the arm, when the clutch plate is in its down position, sliding in the longitudinal lower leg 59 of the drive slot 60. a J

While the arm 62 may drive a rack for swing ing the flaps through a meshing pinion, it is preferred that the drive link 63 be a bent lever, of which the arm 62 forms an integral inner end. At its outer end, the lever 63 is swivelly connected to a crank arm 65 of a driving gear'66. To fit within the space available in the front rail 9, while limiting the movement of the crank arm to an effective arc, the driving gear 65 is in the form of a sector or segmental gear, with the crank arm 65 disposed below its axis. This gear, in turn, meshes with a driven gear 61, the latter being of less diameter to provide reduction gearing by which the movement of the crank arm, within the limits imposed by the extent of movement of the locking bar -Iii, will rotate the axle or shaft 68 of the driven gear through substantially 180. The reduction gearing, formed of the 1 two gears, may conveniently be mounted as a unit on a post or upright 69 formed as an integral part of the mounting 48. It will be noted that the flap-swinging or driven gear 6'! must be mounted inwardly of the hinging axes of the flaps 24', dueto the end curvature of the front rail 9, necessitating a flexible connection therebetween. In the illustrated embodiment, this flexible connection is obtained by extending the axle 68 through the rear wall of the front rail 9 and there connecting it to a drive rod or shaft I having a universal joint H at either end, one connected to the axle 68 and the other to the flap 24. At least one of the universal joints is not fixed, but splined or otherwis pinned to the drive rod to permit it to slide axially thereof so as to accommodate any adjustments which may need to be made in the position of the front rail 9 relative to the side rails 6.

This driving mechanism, coupled with the universal connection 36 between the front and rear flap sections, enables the flaps 24 to be swung or driven inunison through an arc of substantially 180 between closed and open position, and to be locked as a unit in closed position by the toplockinglever l9, coincident with locking of the top, the flaps in the latter position providing the rigid, substantially continuous lips required for holding the top fabric against shrinkage. The device operates in this fashion. Opening of the lever, as the top is unlocked, swings the flaps to open or up position, freeing the stiifeners 30 of theside valances 22. When the lever is subsequently closed, after the front rail has been cleared of the dowels l5, the flaps remain in their up position, due to the one-way drive which is then brought into operation by downward movement of the clutch plate As the power is then operated to collapse the top, the flaps are held in their upright position by engagement with the inside of the top fabric 2-, this engagement proressivelydecreasing as the top collapses sothat the flaps are substantially free by the time the top has reached the position shown in Figure 2. To cause the flaps then to return to their normal or closed position, the hinges 34 of both sections of th flaps are provided with springs 12, normally urging the flaps-closed but having insufiicient force to accomplish such closure until the flaps are substantially free of the top fabric. The hinge springs thus act to move the flaps out of the way of overfolding of the side rails 6, while permitting the top fabric initially to hold the flaps in open position and ensure against reengagement of the flaps with the stifieners 3|]. While the springs alone will normally be adequate to ensure return of the flaps before jamming can occur, there may be provided, as an added safety factor, a by-pass (not shown) inthe hydraulic system, operated by a by-pass valve (also not shown) bywhich the added resistance to movement caused by possible jamming of the flaps can be utilized to'stop further collapse of the top until the flaps are manually released.

On subsequent'raising of the top, the flaps, then held in their normal position by the hinge springs 12, will automatically be so disposed as to realign the ball 38 and socket 31 and reconnect the front and rear flaps, and 26, as' the top moves to closed position. Thus, when the lever i9 is thrown open to permit reseating of the dowels [5 in the front roof rail 9, the flaps will swing as a unit to open position. When the front rail is then seated on the windshield header I 3, the clutch plate 52 of the drive unit is displaced upwardly, restoring the positive bi-directional drive between the drive plate 50 and the drive link 63. Consequently, subsequent closing of the locking lever will swing the flaps-down, causing them in process to ride against the under-surface of the top fabric and ultimately reseat themselves in the pockets 3| in the side valances 22. Locking of the top, therefore, automatically secures the side valances by clampingthe stiffeners between the flaps and the side rails 6. The front flap sections 25 are stopped in down position by the drive unit 41. For stopping the rear flap sections 26 and ensuring alignment of the flaps, use may be made of the side rail hinges or, as in the illustrated embodiment, of separate bumpers or stops 13, one mounted on each rear side rail 8 and positioned to engage one of the inner flanges 43 of the associated rear flap section. This stop also serves to prevent rattling of the flaps when closed.

The modification of Figures 19 through 21 differs from the first embodiment, heretofore described, mainly'in utilizing the breaking of the side rails 6 to raise the flaps 24 and in having no provision for automatic reengagement of the flaps with the side valances 22, being the same in the latter respect as .the self-releasing snap fasteners, now commonly employed. As in the first embodiment, the flaps are designed to be locked as a unit in closed position, this being accomplished by a spring catch or latch 14, here mounted on the rear side rail 8, and engaging the ball-carrying stem ll of the universal connection 36 between the flaps, the catch normally beingurged into stem-engaging position. For releasing the catch as the top is collapsed a cam element 15 is carried by the forward side rail 1 adjacent the joint, the cam underlying the shank 16 of the catch and being of such The flaps are vthen swung downwardly aeqaqqo configuration that it will dislodge the catch from looking position almost. at the start of. collapse of the top. :As soon .as the catch is disengagedythe fiapsections of .each flap are forced outwardly by a pair of spring-pressedplungers 11, one engaging a rear flange 18 of either flap section, the plungers being mounted, in the illustrated embodiment,-on the side rails,.% back of the inner faces of their upstanding flanges z'i. The plungersii are of sufficient force to move the flaps outoftheir normal vertical position, such that they thereafter can be swun readily to open position by the force exerted by the'top fabric} asitmoves away from the side rails. Once the flaps have been substantially freed of the, fabric, theyare moved out of jamn ing position by the hinge springs 52, as in thefirstembodiment. However, the flaps are stopped, in this embodiment, by the spring-pressed plungers 51, which hold thestemel beyond. and out of engagement with the catch is;

The plungers""il, by limiting the downward movement of. the side flaps 2 4 under-forceofthe hinge springs, also ensure alignment and -reconnection of the i 'iaps bythe universal connectin,,36 when the top is. raised to closed position, so that the flap, sections are thereafter movable as a unit. Qn'ce the topisdockedinclosed position, the flaps are pulled out manually and inserted in the pocket-s3! in theqside valances-jii.

to 'reengage the stemflli with the; latch or catchid, the outer face of the latter being-bevelled to enable the' latch to be displaced bythestem as; it

swings closed. 'jl-iere, the spring-pressed plungas H, by yieldably, acting against the flaps- 24 when thegflaps are closed, serve also 0 as bumpers to prevent rattling. v 1

'fiFrom the above "detailed description, itwill be apparent that; there has been providedanimproved attachment for the side valances ofthe top fabric of a convertible top which not only resists shrinkage of the fabric, thereby eliminating looping of'the valances intermediate points of support, as with snap fasteners, but is auto matically released when the top is raised to collapsed position and is also enabled automatically to reengage the valances when the topis restored to closed position. It-should be understood that the described and disclosed embodiments are merely exemplaryof the invention and that all modifications are ;intended to be included which donot depart-{either from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In a let-downtophav-ing aframe'normally covered by top fabric, a-device for attaching sides of said fabric-to said frame, comprising means movably mounted on and extending longitudinally of the sides of said frame, saidmeans normally engaging and securing said fabric'to said sides, and means carried by said frame for moving said securing means relative to said frame and disengaging said securing means from said fabric on collapse of said topf 2. A devicepfon attachin afside of the top fabric of a let -down top tothesupporting frame, comprising. means movably attached to and disposed longitudinally of said frame, said means normally securing aid side of said top fabric to said frame, meansmfor locking said securing means in fabricesecuring,position, and means carried by said frame forunlocking said securing means andmovingf said securingmeansrelative tosaid frame side to release saidfabric side from said frame.

,3. ,A device forattaching a side of the top fabric of a let-down top to the supporting frame, comprising fabricrsecuring means ,movably attached to aside ofsaid frame, said means normally being downwardly disposed and engaging an upstanding portion of said fabric side, and means carried by said frame for moving said means upwardly relative to said frame side and disengaging said fabric-securing means from said portion. V

l. A device for attaching a side of the top fabric of alet-down top to the supporting frame, comprising 'fabric securing means movably attached to aside of' said frame, said means nor= mallybeing spacedfrom said side and forming therewith a downwardly opening seat for receiving an upstanding portion of'said fabric side, and means carried by said frame for moving said means relativetosaid frame side and disengaging said fabric-securing means from" said portion.

5. In alet-down top havinga supporting frame including spaced side rails and a top fabric normally covering said-frame, a devicefor attaching confronting sidesof said fabric-to said side rails, comprising means extending longitudinally of and hingedly-attached to said side rails, said means normally engaging portions of said fabric sides for securing said sides to said rails, and means carried by said'framefor swinging said securing means about'said rails and releasing said portions-from saidsecuring mean's on collapse of said top.

6. In a let-down top having a supporting frame including spaced side rails, and a top fabric normally covering said frame, a device for attaching sides of saidfabric to said side rails, comprising -means extending longitudinally of and hingedly attached to said side railsjsaid means normally engaging portions of said fabric sides for securing said sides to said rails, means for swinging saidsecuring. means about said rails and'rel'easing. said portions on collapse of "said top to' open position, and means for reengaging said securing means with said portions on return of said-top to closed position.

7. In a let-down top having a frame including spaced side rails and a top fabric normally covering said-frame, a deviceforiattaching sides. of

said-fabric to said side'rails, comprising. a member hinged to and disposed longitudinally of. each of said rails, each of said members normally. disposedoutwardly-of and confronting an outer face-of-the associated .rail, means-for locking said members in said normal position, and means for releasing .said' members and.- .swinging said 'm'embers u'pwardly about said. .rails .oncollapse e0 y of-saidtob.

-8. In a let-downtop having a frame'including spaced side railsand a top fabric norinally covering said; frame, 'a device for attaching sidesof said fabric to said side' rails, comprising a member hinged to each of said rails,. each of said members having a portion normally projecting Ibelow itsfh'ing'ing axis o'utwardlyofthe associated rail, means for locking said member in'said'normal position, andmeans for releasing said member and j swinging said portion upwardly about said rail on collapsefof said top.

- .9- n ale r. e (w i fram m nd n ,sea lsi e rai send t p. abr normal vi v ng said frame .3. BYiCe for .attachingiside's of said fabricto said side, rails, comprising afilap hinged to and disposed longitudinally of each of said rails, said flap having a lip normally confronting and spaced outwardly of an outer face of said rail for receiving a part of said fabric side therebetween; means for locking said flap in said normal position, and means for releasing said flap and swinging said lip upwardly about said rail to disengage said fabric part on 001- lapse of said top 10. In a let-down top having a supporting frame including spaced side rails, a front rail, locking means associated with said front rail for locking said top in closed position, and top fabric normally covering said frame, a device for releasably attaching a side of said fabric to a side rail, comprising a flap hinged to said side rail and in normalposition having a downwardly disposed portion for engaging a part of said fabric, and means associated with said front rail and: drivably connected to said locking means for alternately locking said flap in said normal position and swinging said flap about said side rail.

11. In a let-down top having a supporting frame including spaced side rails, a front rail, locking means associated with said front rail for locking said top in closed position, and top fabric normally covering said frame, a device for releasably attaching a side of said fabric to a side rail, comprising a flap hinged to said side rail and normally having a downwardly disposed portion for engaging a part of said fabric, drive means actuated by said locking means for swinging said flap about said side rail, and clutch means operative on movement of said top from closed position for converting said drive means to a oneway drive.

12. In a let-down top having a supporting frame including spaced side rails, a front rail, locking means associated with said front rail for locking said top in closed position, and top fabric normally covering said frame, a device for releasably attaching a side of said fabric to a side rail, comprising a flap hinged to said side rail and normally having a downwardly disposed portion for engaging a part of said fabric, drive means actuated by said locking means and having a pin and slot connection with said flap, and clutch means for maintaining a positive drive between said drive means and said flap when said top is in closed position and operative, on movement of said top from closed position for shifting said connection and limiting said drive to a one-way drive.

13. In a let-down top having a supporting frame including spaced side rails, a front rail, locking means associated with said front rail for locking said top in closed position, and top fabric normally covering said frame, a device for releasably attaching a side of said fabric to a side rail, comprising a flap hinged to said side rail and normally having a downwardly disposed portion for engaging a part of said fabric, drive means actuated by said locking means for swinging said flap about said side rail, and clutch means maintaining a positive drive between said drive means and said flap for swinging said flap in either direction when said top is closed, and operative on movement of said top from said closed position for disengaging said flap from drive in one direction by said drive means.

14. In a let-down top having a supporting frame including spaced jointed-section side rails, and top fabric normally covering said frame, a

device for releasably attaching confronting sides of said frame and fabric, comprising a plurality 12 of flaps each hinged to and extending along a section of each of said rails, and means positively connecting adjacent flaps of each side rail on opening and closing of said top for enabling said flaps to be swung in unison about the associated side rail.

15. In a let-down top having a supporting frame including spaced jointed-section side rails, and top fabric normally covering said frame, a device for releasably attaching confronting sides of said frame and fabric, comprising a plurality of flaps each hinged to and extending along a section of each said rails, and a yieldable universal joint connecting adjacent flaps of each of said side rails for enabling said flaps to be swung in unison about the associated side rail when said top is opened and closed.

16. In a let-down top having a supporting frame including spaced jointed-section side rails, and top fabric normally covering said frame, a device for releasably attaching a side of said fabric to one of said rails, comprising a plurality of flaps each hinged to and disposed longitudinally of each section of said rail for normally securing a portion of said fabric thereto, means carried by one of said sections for locking said flaps in normal position, and means carried by another of said sections for releasing said locking means on relative movement of said sections.

17. In a let-down top having a frame including spaced jointed-section side rails, and top fabric normally covering said frame, a device for releasably attaching a side of said fabric to one of said rails, comprising a plurality of flaps each hinged to and disposed longitudinally of a sec tion of said rail for normally securing a portion of said fabric thereto, a universal joint connecting adjoining of said flaps, latch means carried by one of said sections and engageable with said joint for securing said flaps in normal position, and cam means carried by another of said sections and engageable with said latch means for releasing said flaps on relative movement of said sections.

18. In a let-down top having a frame including spaced jointed-section side rails, and top fabric normally covering said frame, a device for releasably attaching a side of said fabric to one of said rails, comprising a plurality of flaps each hinged to and disposed longitudinally of a section of said rail for normally securing a portion of said fabric thereto, a universal joint connecting adjoining of said flaps, latch means carried by one of said sections and engageable with said joint for securing said flaps in normal position, cam means carried by another of said sections and engageable with said latch means for releasing said flaps on relative movement of said sections, and yieldable means carried by said rail for urging said flaps outwardly of said rail on release thereof.

19. In a let-down top having a frame including spaced jointed-section side rails, and top fabric normally covering said frame, a device for releasably attaching a side of said fabric to one of said rails, comprising a plurality of flaps each hinged to and disposed longitudinally of a section of said rail for normally securing a portion of said fabric thereto, a universal joint connecting adjoining of said flaps, latch means carried by one of said sections and associated with said joint for securing said flaps in normal position, cam means carried by another of said sections and engageable with said latch means for releasing said flaps on relative movement of said sections, yieldable means carried by said rail for urging said flaps outwardly of said rail on release thereof, and spring means urging said flaps into engagement with said yieldable means when disengaged from said fabric.

20. In a let-down top having a frame and top fabric normally covering said frame, a device for releasably attaching a side of said fabric to a side of said frame, comprising a flap hinged to and disposed longitudinally of a side of said frame for normally securing said fabric thereto, drive means associated with said frame for swinging said flap about said frame side, clutch means maintaining a positive drive between said drive means and said flap for swinging said flap in either direction about said side when said top is closed and disengaging said flap from drive in one direction by said drive means on movement of said top from said closed position, and means yieldably urging said flap in said one direction. V

WILMER MECHLIN.

REFERENCES CITED The followingreferences are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Westrope Feb. 16, 1937 

